Read the manual. I am past the 50 miles but only have 187 miles on my sportster. The question is that if i shift at the recommended speeds it seems to lug the engine badly. If I shift at the sound of the engine it sounds as if I am reving it to much. The manual says to keep it under 5k rpm for 500 miles in any gear. What say "ye" ole wise ones?


Second question is. At what speed is 5k rpm in the 5th gear? I don't want to screw this bike up, ive been wanting a Harley(sportster for ever) and finally got one. THanks for any help guys.

 

Keep it under 60 mph, don't wind it out before shifting, vary your speed and you will be fine.

 

My book says: for betweem 50 - 500 miles the max speed in each gear ( in order) are
27 - 38 - 50 - 60 - 70

 

Let your ears, feel, and common sense be your guide.

Rev enough to not lug it but don't wind it out either. You've ridden other bikes before? Common sense - just take it ewasy and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks for you help guys. I'll use your advice. Yes I have been riding for awhile but Honda's for a long time. This is my first Harley though. The shifting feels different to me as compared to a Honda.

 

I don't know if you have a tach (an R model?) but I shift at about 3000 just cruising, which drops me into a sweet spot at just over 2000 in the next gear. How do you like your bike compared to your previous metrics?

 

I put a tachometer on my 883 beforeI even took delivery. Shifting between 3,000 and 3,300 RPM in general feels just right and as the MacAttack says puts the torque just perfect in the next gear up. That must seem real low compared to a Honda engine. One of the rice guys in my MSF class says he shifts at 10,000 RPM on his Suzuki!!!! crazy.

 

If I remember correctly, during break in you DON'T want to lug the engine...better to rev a little higher than lug the new engine.

Once you get used to the bike you should be able to audibly hear when you need to shift..that's what I do and I couldn't imagine having to watch a tach rather than hear the engine while watching the road.

 

I guess a tach is personal choice. You don't want to glue your eyes to your tach...just glance at it keeping it in your scan. Shifting by feel and sound comes natural after a while. Still, I think a tachometer is very useful. Guess I'm an old fashioned motorhead guy. Had one on top of thedash of my Chevelle SS as a kid....

 

The Metric was shifted smooth but certainly ran at a much higher rpm. Plus the last mec I was on was geared much lower. It takes a little getting use to the high gears. When to shift as compared to rev's. When to down shift at turns. I'll get use to it, just glad to be on it.